Zig-zag sewing machines



March 1959 F. GEGAUF 2,877,726

ZIG-ZAG SEWING MACHINES Original Filed May 29, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 59/7 Z 656,410

March 17,1959 F. GEGAUF ZIG-ZAG SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 29. 1953 INVENTOR. F El 7 Z 6640F all March 17, 1959 F. GEGAUF 2,877,726

ZIG-ZAG SEWING MACHINES Original Filed May 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.5

INVENTOR. Fi /72 GEE/7J1:

March 17, 1959 F. GEGAUF 2,

ZIG-ZAG SEWING MACHINES Original Filed May 29, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Tlq.l[] I /7 /7 United States Patent 2,877,726 ZIG-ZAG SEWING MACHINES Fritz Gegauf, Steckborn, Switzerland, assignor to The Singer Manufacturing Company, a corporation of New ersey 20 Claims. (31. 112-158) The present invention relates to sewing machines, and more particularly to a sewing machine adapted for zigzag stitch patterns, and is a divisional application of the application of Fritz Gegauf for United States patent filed on May 29, 1953, Serial Number 358,377 now United States Patent Number 2,832,302 for Sewing Machine.

conventionally zig-zag sewing machines include a needle bar guide which is longitudinally reciprocable and oscillatable transversely of the direction of reciprocation of the needle bar. Interchangeable cam members for oscillating the needle bar guide are employed to permit various stitch patterns to be obtained. However, the interchange of the cam members is troublesome and time wasting inasmuch as conventionally, the cam members are lodged within the hollow arm of the frame post of the sewing machine, normally closed by a hinged cover with the cam members being somewhat difficult to reach. Further, since the cam members must be lubricated they are often oily and the handling thereof may eventually result in the oil rubbing off on the hands of the user with possible eventual soiling of material to be stitched. Ad-

ditionally, the cam members are comparatively small and may be easily lost. Accordingly, it is a primaryobject of the present invention to eliminate the necessity of in terchanging the cam members each time another stitch pattern is to be selected.

The concept of this invention features the use in a sewing machine of a drive shaft on which a plurality of cam discs are mounted. There is provided oscillatable means in driving connection with the needle bar guide of the sewing machine which oscillatable means is oscillated selectively by one of the cam discs. Incorporated in the invention is means for selectively employing in any desired sequence each of the cam discs with its associated follower.

A push button actuator is employed for enabling the selected employment of each cam disc and its associated cam follower.

The cam discs may be permanently or removablymounted on the drive shaft, it being noted that the arrangement of the several cam discs enables themvention to carry out one of its more important objects, that is, enabling the sewing machine to produce hundreds of desirable stitch patterns without necessitating the removal or replacement of parts.

A further object of the invention is to enable the user of the sewing machine to change the stitch pattern being employed by merely pushing a push button and rotating the push button to a further selected position.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of means facilitating convenient actuation of sewing machine parts for the production of any desirable zig-zag stitch pattern and the complete disengagement of the parts for allowing ordinary sewing operations.

Still another feature of the invention is to provide means allowing the user of the sewing machine to readily observe the particular stitch pattern employed.

Yet a further object of the present invention isto r 2,877,726 Patented Mar. 17, 1959 provide means conducive to easy and convenient switching over from one stitch pattern to another stitch pattern while the machine is in operation, push buttons, keys or other simple elements being employable to bring about instantaneous changes in the operation of the sewing machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means contributing to a compact sewing machine whose parts are easily accessible, may be readily interchanged, if desired and ensure always precise functioning of the sewing machine during its various operational steps.

The above and other objects of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upper part of a sewing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention exposing control means for the needle;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a detail of the sewing machine seen in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 2, with parts thereof shown in section for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view taken along the lines 44 of Fig. 2;

i Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view further means with stitch patterns engraved or marked thereon;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view. of a modified form of the disengaging device employable in the invention;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the modified form of the disengaging device employable in the invention, with parts thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a further form of the disengaging device for use in the invention equipped with a' plurality of cam followers, selectively couplable to an oscillatable shaft;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of Fig.

Fig. 12 illustrates the shape of a washer;

Fig. 13 is a partial elevational view of levers; and

Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view taken 1414 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view illustrating a left hand elevation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 2 designates a hollow arm of a sewing machine according to the invention and integrally formed with the frame post 1. An upper drive shaft 3 is supported in arm 2. The shaft 3 carries a conventional handwheel 4 and is movable by a transmission element 5.

The needle bar 6 has imparted thereto a reciprocating up-and-down motion by drive means (not shown) of conventional construction. The needle bar 6 carries the sewing needle 7 and is movably guided in a swingable frame 8 which receives its oscillatory motion from a bar 9. The bar 9 is an extension of link member 10 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 10a.

The needle bar 6 receives by the oscillatory motion from the bar 9 the transverse motion necessary for producing a zig-zag stitch pattern. The amplitude of this transverse motion is variable from zero to a predetermined upper limit. A block'13 is provided to determine the upper limit and is slidably mounted'in'aguide lever along lines 11. The guide lever 11 is supported on a shaft 12. Shaft 12 is pivotally mounted within a portion 2a of the arm 2.

As is conventional, adjustment of the block 13 may be made by means of a rotatable knob, not shown, po-. sitioned outwardly of the frame post 1 and coupled to the forked end of link member 10. Such a conventional adjusting means for varying the amplitude of lateral needle movements is shown in my Swiss Patent No. 255,384 of April 25, 1947.

The drive shaft 3 is drivingly connected to a horizontal shaft 16 by means of a worm 14 on the drive shaft 3 and a worm wheel 15 on the shaft 16.

Mounted on the shaft 16 are four cam discs 17 (Fig. 3). Each of the cam discs 17 has its periphery shaped to provide a specific curve or guiding track. Each of the cam discs 17 is preferably of a different shape. The cam discs 17 are connected to a ring 19 by means of a pin 18 secured to the ring 19 and extending parallel to the shaft 16 through the cam discs 17. The ring 19 is mounted on the shaft 16 in fixed relation to the worm wheel 15 so that the cam discs 17 rotate in conjunction with rotation of the worm wheel 15.

A double-armed oscillating lever having an upper arm 21 and a lower arm 22 is rockably mounted on an axle 20. The upper arm 21 has mounted therein a fixed bushing 23 in which a lock pin 24 is supported, as can be best seen in Figure 5.

One end of the lock pin 24 projects outwardly of the frame post 1 and has a push button 25 mounted thereon. The push button 25 forms an abutment for a helical spring 26 which urges the push button 25 and hence the pin 24 outwardly of the frame post 1. The action of the spring 26 normally keeps across-pin 27 in engagement with a selected one of four notches 28 provided in the end of the bushing 23 remote from the push button 25 so as to maintain the lock pin 24 against rotation.

The notches 28 serve-to enable the lock pin 24 to be held in any of four angular positions each disposed normal to each other. The pin 24 is placed in a selected position by depressing the push button 25 and then rotating the push button to a selected angular position.

A control cylinder 29 is positioned about the bushing 23 and has a flange 30 provided with recesses therein which receive the ends of a pin 31 extending through the lock pin 24 to angularly couple the control cylinder 29 to the lock pin 24. A washer 32 on the control cylinder 29 provides an abutment for the inner end of spring 26.

Four pin-shaped cam followers 33 are fixed at equal angular intervals in the periphery of control cylinder 29. The cam followers 33 are offset axially of the control cylinder 29 so that each of the cam followers 33 is coplanar with one of the cam discs 17 for cooperation therewith. Obviously, the cam followers 33 can be selectively brought into operating engagement with its respective cam disc 17 upon angular positioning of the control cylinder 29 (Fig. 2).

In other words, the cam followers or cam-responding elements 33 are helically spaced about the axis of the control cylinder 29 so that as the control cylinder is manually rotated about its axis each element 33 will be sequentially presented to its associated cam 17.

The arms 21 and 22 of the oscillating lever are rocked about axle 20 when the worm wheel 15 and hence the cam discs 17 are rotated by worm 14. This rocking action is in accordance with the contours of the cam disc 17 then being operatively engaged by the corresponding cam follower.

The lower arm 22 of the oscillating lever is connected by means of a link 34 to an angle lever 35 fixed on the shaft 12 which carries the guide lever 11 as to transmit the motion of the guide lever to the swingable frame 8 in which the needle bar 6 is mounted.

Theangle. lever35 is resiliently engaged bya compl esv 4 sion spring 36 which is supported on a fixed rod 37, as seen best in Figure 2.

The spring 36 urges the oscillating lever towards the shaft 16 to hold the cam followers in resilient engagement with the surfaces of the corresponding cam discs 17.

The flange 30 projects outwardly through an opening 33a in an upper cover 38 which is hingedly mounted on the hollow arm 2 for providing access to the control cylinder 29, cam discs 17 and other associated parts. Four stitching patterns are engraved on the periphery of the flange 30, as can be seen in Figures 6 and 7. The position of these engraved stitching patterns correspond to the angular positions of the four cam followers 33 and are indicative of the stitching patterns which are obtained by using the cam disc 17 cooperating with its respective cam followers.

The pattern being produced by the needle is therefore visible on the portion of the periphery of the flange 30 which projects through the opening in the cover 38. The flange 30 is knurled so that it may be moved easily by hand upon engagement of the position thereof which projects outwardly of the cover 38. Movement of the flange 30 rotates the control cylinder 29 and the lock pin 24 coupled thereto by cross pin 31, after the crosspin 27 has been disengaged from the notches of the bushing 23 by pressure on the push button 25, overcoming the action of the spring 26.

A two-armed disengaging lever having arms 39 and 40 is supported on a pivot 41. The arm 39 projects upwardly and outwardly of the cover 38 while the arm 40 embraces part of a step provided on the flange 30. If the disengaging lever is pivoted from an inactive position, shown in solid lines in Figure 2, to an operative position, as indicated in phantom lines in Figure 2, the arm. 40 will engage the cylinder 29 to lift the cylinder 29 thus causing the oscillated lever 21, 22 which supports cylinder 29 indirectly loaded by spring 36 to move to retain the operative cam follower 33 out of engagement with its cooperating cam disc 17.

Upon return of the disengaging lever to an inactive position, the control cylinder 29 is urged to its operating position by action of spring 36.

Means, not shown, are provided for arresting the disengaging lever in both the inactive or operating positions. The disengaging lever is moved to an operating position in order to allow the sewing machine for straight sewing, mending, and the like.

Referring now to the modification shown in Figures 8 and 9, there will be seen an alternative arrangement for disengagement of the control cylinder 29. An eccentric 39a is provided for cooperation with a fixed abutment 39b. The eccentric 39a is rotatable on the locking pin 24 by means of cylinder 29 and flange 30 so as to engage the abutment 391b, whereby the cylinder 29 is swung away from the shaft 16 which carries cam discs 17.

The cylinder 29 is swung back to its initial or operative position by means of the oscillating lever.

With reference to Figures 10 through 14, a further arrangement may be employed which includes four camfollowers 69 rotatably mounted on shaft 12 which replaces shaft 12 of Figs. 14. As shown in Figs. 11 and 15, however, shaft 12', like shaft 12 has secured thereto the guide lever 11 and the angle lever 35. The camfollowers 69 are positioned side by side between two positioning rings 67 and 68. Washers 70 are interposed between the individual cam followers 69.

Each of the cam-followers 69 has a cam follower finger 71 at one end and a cut-out recess 69a adjacent the other end. A slide 72 is provided in an axial bore of shaft 12' and has an external hand knob 73. The slide 72 is axially displaceable. In the region of the camfollowers 69, the shaft 12' has a longitudinal slot 74 into which an inner tongue or projection 70a of each of the washers 70 extends. Each of the cam-followers 69 has a radial recess 69a opposite the slot 7'4.

A flat coupling lever 76 is articulated on a transverse pin 75 within the bifurcated inner end of slide 72. The free end 76a of lever 76 forms a coupling head having opposite sloping faces. A leaf spring 77 fixed to the lever 76 urges the lever 76 into a position where the coupling head 76a projects outwardly through the slot 74, so that by axial displacement of the slide 72, by means of the hand knob 73, any one of the four cam-followers 69 can be angularly coupled to the shaft 12', as the coupling head 76a engages the radial recess of one of the camfollowers 69.

Thus, the oscillating motion which is imparted to each cam-follower 69 by its corresponding cam disc 17 is transmitted to the shaft 12' and to the guide lever carried thereby. When the slide 72 is axially displaced lengthwise of the shaft 12', the coupling lever 76 is retracted by the sloping face of its coupling head 76a as the coupling head 76a meets the integrally projecting tongue 70a of any of the washers 70 in its way, so that the coupling head 76a may contact any of the other camfollowers 69 as desired, after which the knob 73 is axially rotated so that the head 76a may properly engage the slot 69a of the selected follower 69.

From the above it is to be understood that the form of the invention shown in Figs. to 15, like that shown in Figs. 1 to 9, comprises a plurality of spaced cam discs 17 mounted adjacent each other on the shaft 16 for rotation therewith, an axially adjustable cylinder 29 (Fig. 5) or 12 (Fig. 11), a plurality of spaced cam followers 33 or 71 on the control cylinder engageable with the cam discs, the cam followers being axially offset from each other, an oscillating lever 22 (Fig. 3) or 1112' (Fig. 10) operatively engaging the control cylinder, and oscillatable means 9, 10 and 13 operatively connecting the oscillating lever 22 (Fig. 2) or 11--12' (Fig. 10) with the needle bar guide 8 so that upon axially adjusting the control cylinder to engage one of the cam followers with one of the cam discs, rotation of the shaft 16 causes oscillation of the needle bar guide 8 in accordance with the contour of the surface of one cam disc.

It is to be understood that when the modified form of the present invention, as illustrated in Figs. 10-15, is applied in the sewing machine arm 2, illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the shaft 12', shown in Figs. 1-4, has its one end modified in the manner as is disclosed in Figs. l0-15, with the modified shaft designated as 12 so as properly to accommodate the cam followers 71-71. These cam followers 7171 may selectively engage the rotary cams 1717 to the end that the shaft 12' is oscillated about its longitudinal axis and thereby actuates the guide lever 11 which is rigidly carried upon the shaft 12'.

Thus, it is manifest that the modified version of the present invention disclosed in Figs. 10-15 is substituted completely for the control cylinder 29 with its accompanying mechanism including the bell crank lever 21-22, supporting shaft 20 and connecting link 34. However, the angle lever 35 with its associated compression spring 36 and rod 37 is retained so that the shaft 12' will be oscillated about its longitudinal axis in one direction by the rotary cams 17 and in the other direction by the spring 36.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, it can be seen that there has been provided a zig-zag sewing machine comprising a hollow arm 2 with a needle bar guide 8 therein. A needle bar 6 is longitudinally reciprocable in the needle bar guide for imparting reciprocal motion to a needle 7 mounted on the needle bar, and there is a rotatable shaft 16 within the hollow arm 2, a plurality of spaced cam discs 17 mounted adjacent each other on the shaft 16 for rotation therewith, an axially adjustable control cylinder 29, as Well as a plurality of spaced cam followers 33 on the control cylinder 29 engageable with said cam discs.

The cam followers 33 are axially offset from each other, and an oscillating lever 21, 22 operatively engages the control cylinder 29, and oscillatable means 9,: 10, 10a, 13 operatively connecting the oscillating lever 21, 22 with the needle bar guide 8 so that upon axially adjusting the control cylinder 29 to engage one of the cam followers 33 with one of the cam discs 17, rotation of the shaft 16 causes oscillation of the needle bar guide 8 in accordance with the contours of the surface of the cam disc 17 being engaged by the cam follower 33.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 15, it is to be understood that the invention broadly includes a plurality of differently shaped cams 17 each mounted for rotation about an axis 16 fixed by the frame 2, means 14 and 15 rotating the cams about their axes, a plurality of cam-responding elements 33 or 71 each corresponding to a respective one of the cams 17, means 29 or 12' mounting each of the cam-responding elements 33 or 71 upon the frame for movements relative to the frame in response to the rotation of the cam associated with such element and permanently aligning each of such elements in radial relation with its associated cam, means 9 to 13 for connecting each of the cam-responding elements with the member 7 to be controlled, and operator-responsive means 25 or 73 connected with each of the cam-responding elements for releasably connecting each element in carnresponding relation with its associated cam whereby the member 7 to be controlled can be sequentially connected in operative relation with each of the cams 17.

More specifically, the present invention includes a plurality of differently shaped cams 17 each mounted for rotation about an axis 16 fixed by the frame 2, means,

14 and 15 rotating the cams about their axes, a lever 22 or 1112 pivotally mounted about an axis fixed by the frame, a plurality of cam-responding elements 33 or 71 each corresponding to a respective one of the cams 17, means 29 or 69 mounting the cam-responding elements upon the lever for movements relative to the lever, manually operable means 25 or 73 carried by the lever for releasably locking each of the elements against movement relative to the lever and in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the lever 22 or 1112' may be pivoted about its axis in conformance with the selected cam response of any element, and means 9, 10, 11 and 13 connecting the lever with the member to be controlled.

Thus, in both forms of the invention the cam-responding elements 33 or 71 are, in effect, carried upon a lever 22 or 1112 which is pivotally mounted upon the machine frame. l M! Further it is apparent that there has been disclosed novel push button 25 actuated means for selectively posi- 'tioning the control cylinder 29 to bring a selected cam follower 33 into engagement with a selected cam disc 17.

Various changes and modificaitons may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that such obvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a zig-zag sewing machine having a frame casing, a needle bar guide in said casing, a needle bar longitudinally reciprocable in said needle bar guide for imparting reciprocal motion to a needle when mounted on said bar, and means for oscillating said needle bar guide; a rotatable first shaft, a plurality of spaced cam discs mounted adjacent each other on said shaft for rotation therewith, a hollow second shaft provided with a longitudinal slot and extending substantially parallel to said first shaft, said second shaft being operatively connected with said oscillating means, a plurality of cam follower levers movable about said second shaft and overlying said slot, a spring-urged coupling lever positioned within said second shaft, knob means operatively connected with said coupling lever and extending exteriorly of the hollow of said second shaft and said casing, said knob .means' being rotatable and longitudinally. displaceable relative to said second shaft so that longitudinal displacement of said knob means serves to engage said coupling lever with one of said cam follower levers and so that rotational displacement of said knob serves to engage said one cam follower lever with its respective cam disc, whereby the contours of the surface of said one cam member will be converted to a predetermined oscillatory pattern of said second shaft, and in turn of said needle bar and needle carried thereby;

2. A zig-zag sewing machine comprising a hollow arm, aneedle bar guide in said hollow arm, a needle bar longitudinally reciprocable in said needle bar guide for imparting reciprocal motion to a needle mounted on said needle bar, a rotatable shaft within said hollow arm, a plurality of spaced cam discs mounted adjacent each other on said shaft for rotation therewith, an axially adjustable control cylinder, a plurality of spaced cam followers fixed on said control cylinder engageable with said cam discs, said cam followers being axially offset from each other, an oscillating lever operatively engaging said control cylinder, oscillatable means operatively connecting said oscillating lever with said needle bar guide so that upon axially adjusting said control cylinder to engage one of said cam followers with one of said cam discs, rotation of said shaft causes oscillation of said needle bar guide in accordance with the contours of the surface of said one cam disc, a pin slidable within said control cylinder, means for shifting the pin within the control cylinder and lock means adjustably locking said pin to said control cylinder in one of a plurality of selected axial control positions to hold said control cylinder in a selected position.

3. A ziz-zag sewing machine comprising a hollow arm, a needle bar guide in said hollow arm, a needle bar longitudinally reciprocable in said needle bar guide for imparting reciprocal motion to a needle mounted on said needle bar, a rotatable shaft within said hollow arm, a plurality of spaced cam discs mounted adjacent each other on said shaft for rotation therewith, an axially adjustable control cylinder, a plurality of spaced cam followers fixed on sm'd control cylinder engageable with said cam discs, said cam followers being axially offset from each other, an oscillating lever operatively engaging said control cylinder, oscillatable means operatively connecting said oscillating lever with said needle bar guide so that upon axially adjusting said control cylinder to engage one of said cam followers with one of said cam discs, rotation of said shaft causes oscillation of said needle bar guide in accordance with the contours of the surface of said one cam disc, a pin slidable within said control cylinder, lock means adjustably locking said pin to said cylinder in one of a plurality of selected axial control positions to hold said control cylinder in a selected position, said pin having an end extending outwardly of said casing, a push button on said end of said pin, and a spring engaging said push button to urge said pin into engagement with said lock means, said push button when depressed disengaging said pin.

4. A ziz-zag sewing machine comprising a hollow arm, a needle bar guide in said hollow arm, a needle bar longitudinally reciprocable in said needle bar guide for imparting reciprocal motion to a needle mounted on said needle bar, a rotatable shaft within said hollow arm, a plurality of spaced cam discs mounted adjacent each other on said shaft for rotation therewith, an axially adjustable control cylinder mounted within the hollow arm, a plurality of spaced cam followers fixed on said control cylinder engageable with said cam discs, said cam followers being axially offset from each other, an oscillating lever operatively engaging said control cylinder, and oscillatable means operatively connecting said oscillating lever with said needle bar guide so that upon axially adjusting said control cylinder to engage one of said cam followers with one of said cam discs, rotation of said shaft causes oscillation of said needle bar guide in accordance with the contours of the surface of said one cam disc, said hollow arm having an opening therein, a circular flange formed on said control cylinder and positioned with its periphery extending outwardly of said hollow arm through said opening thereby to afford means whereby the control cylinder may be manually adjusted.

5. An ornamental sewing machine for selectively producing a plurality of different stitch patterns and comprising a hollow arm, a needle pivotally carried by said hollow arm and mounted for endwise reciprocation and for lateral swinging movements, a rotary shaft mounted in said frame for reciprocating said needle, means for rotating said shaft, a series of rotary cams having different stitch patterns carried by said hollow arm and mounted about a common axis, means connected with said shaft for rotating said cams about said common axis, a rotatable control cylinder mounted in said hollow arm and having a plurality of spaced cam followers fixed thereto, said cam followers being axially offset from each other, an oscillating lever operatively engaging said control cylinder, and oscillatable means operatively connecting said oscillating lever with said needle bar guide so that upon axially adjusting said control cylinder to engage one of said cam followers with one of said cam discs, rotation of said shaft causes oscillation of said needle bar guide in accordance with the contour of the surface of said one cam disc.

6. An ornamental sewing machine for selectively producing a plurality of different stitch patterns and comprising a hollow arm, a needle pivotally carried by said hollow arm and mounted for endwise reciprocation and for lateral swin ing movements, a rotary shaft mounted in said frame for reciprocating said needle, means for rotating said shaft, a series of rotary cams having different stitch patterns carried by said hollow arm and mounted about a common axis, means connected with said shaft for rotating said cams about said common axis, a rotatable control cylinder mounted in said hollow arm and having a plurality of spaced cam followers fixed thereto, said cam followers being axially offset from each other, an oscillating lever operatively engaging said control cylinder, and oscillatable means operatively connecting said oscillating lever with said needle bar guide so that upon axially adjusting said control cylinder to engage one of said cam followers with one of said cam discs, rotation of said shaft causes oscillation of said needle bar guide in accordance with the contours of the surface of said one cam disc, said hollow arm having an opening therein, said control cylinder having a flange thereon, said flange extending outwardly of said hollow arm through said opening.

7. An ornamental sewing machine for selectively producing a plurality of different stitch patterns and comprising a hollow arm, a needle pivotally carried by said hollow arm and mounted for endwise reciprocation and for lateral swinging movements, a rotary shaft mounted in said frame for reciprocating said needle, means for rotating said shaft, a series of rotary cams having different stitch patterns carried by said hollow arm and mounted about a common axis, means connected with said shaft for rotating said cams about said common axis, a rotatable control cylinder mounted in said hollow arm and having a plurality of spaced cam followers fixed thereto, said cam followers being axially offset from each other, an oscillating lever operatively engaging said control cylinder, and oscillatable means operatively connecting said oscillating lever with said needle bar guide so that upon axially adjusting said control cylinder to engage one of said cam followers with one of said cam discs, rotation of said shaft causes oscillation of said needle bar guide in accordance with the contours of the surface of said one cam disc, said control cylinder being movable with respect to said shaft, disengaging means contacting said control cylinder to move said control 9 cylinder to disengage and space all of said cam followers from all of said cam discs.

8. A control mechanism for an ornamental stitch sewing machine having a frame and a member in the frame to be controlled by the mechanism, comprising a plurality of differently shaped cams each mounted for rotation about an axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their axes, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means mounting each of the cam-responding elements upon the frame for movements relative to the frame in response to the rotation of the cam associated with such element and permanently aligning each of such elements in radial relation with its associated cam, means connecting each of the cam-responding elements with the member to be controlled, a single unitary operator-responsive handle, means shiftably mounting the handle upon the frame, means operatively connecting such handle with each of the cam-responding elements for releasably connecting each element in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the member to be controlled can be sequentially connected in operative relation with each of the cams in response to the operator-propelled movements of the handle, and means releasably locking a selected cam-responding element in operative relation with its associated cam during the normal operation of the machine.

9. An ornamental stitch sewing machine comprising, a frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, a plurality of differently shaped cams each mounted for rotation about an axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their axes in synchronism with the reciprocating movements of the needle, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means mounting each of the cam-responding elements upon the frame for movements relative to the frame in response to the rotation of the cam associated with such element and permanently aligning each of such elements in radial relation with its associated cam, means connecting each of the cam-responding elements with the needle for shifting the latter sidewise, a single unitary operator-responsive handle, means shiftably mounting the handle upon the frame, means operatively connecting such handle with each of the cam-responding elements for releasably connecting each element in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the needle can be sequentially connected in operative relation with each of the cams in response to the operator-propelled movements of the handle, and means releasably locking a selected camresponding element in operative relation with its associated cam during the normal operation of the machine.

10. A control mechanism for an ornamental stitch sewing machine having a frame and a member in the frame to be controlled by the mechanism, comprising a pluralityof differently shaped cams each mounted for rotation about an axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their axes, a lever pivotally mounted about an axis fixed by the frame, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means mounting the cam-responding elements upon the lever for movements relative to the lever, manually operable means carried by the lever for releasably locking each of the elements against movement relative to the lever and in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the lever may be pivoted about its axis in conformance with the selected cam response of any element, and means connecting the lever with the member to be controlled.

11. An ornamental stitch sewing machine comprising a hollow frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, a plurality of cylindrical rotary cams mounted within the frame for rotation about a common axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their common axis, a lever pivotally mounted within the frame and about an axis fixed by the frame, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means mounting the elements upon the lever for movements relative to the lever, spring means biasing the lever about its axis thereby to bias the elements toward the cams, operator-responsive means carried by the lever within the frame for releasably locking each of the elements against movement relative to the lever and in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the lever may be pivoted about its axis in conformance with the selected cam response of any element, handle means formed on the operator-responsive means and extending outside the confines of the frame, and means connecting the lever with the needle for shifting the latter sidewise.

12. An ornamental stitch sewing machine comprising, a frame, a needle mounted in said frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, means connected to said needle for shifting the needle sidewise, a plurality of cylindrical rotary cams mounted upon said frame for rotation about a fixed common axis, means for rotating said cams in synchronism with the needle reciprocating movements, a plurality of cam-tracking elements of which each corresponds to a respective one of said cams for sensing and responding to its associated cam in re-' sponse to the movements of the cam, means supporting each of said elements upon said frame for shifting movements relative to and independently of its associated elements, means permanently aligning each of said elements for sensing and responding to its associated cam only, a single unitary operator-responsive handle, means shiftably mounting the handle upon the frame, means operatively connecting such handle with each of the cam-tracking elements for releasably establishing an operative connection between said first-mentioned means and each of said elements whereby the needle may be sequentially connected in operative relation with each of the cams in response to operator-propelled movements of the handle, and means releasably maintaining an operative connection between the first mentioned means and a selected element during the normal operation of the machine.

13. A control mechanism for an ornamental stitch sewing machine having a frame and a member in the frame to be controlled by the mechanism, comprising a plurality of differently shaped cams each mounted for rotation.

about an axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their axes, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, an element-carrying means shiftably mounted upon the frame, means rotatably mounting the elements upon and about an axis fixed by the element-carrying means with the elements being fixed relative to each other and being spaced lengthwise along and angularly about such axis, spring means biasing the element-carrying means toward the cams, operator-responsive means connected with the elements for rotating them in unison about their common axis thereby sequentially to present each element to its associated cam, means releasably looking a selected element in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby such element together with the element-carrying means may be shifted relative to the frame in response to the movement of a selected cam, and means connecting the element-carrying means with the member to be controlled.

14. An ornamental stitch sewing machine comprising, a frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, a plurality of differently shaped cams each mounted for rotation about a common axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about the common axis in synchronism with the needle reciprocating movements, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, an elementcarrying means shiftably mounted upon the frame, means rotatably mounting the elements upon and about an axis fixed by the element-carrying means with the elements being fixed relative to each other and being spaced lengthwise along and angularly about such axis, spring means biasing the element-carrying means toward the cams, operator-responsive means connected with the elements for rotating them in unison about their common axis thereby sequentially to present the elements to their associated cams, means releasably locking a selected element in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby such element together with the element-carrying means may be shifted relative to the frame in response to the movements of a selected cam, and means connecting the element-carrying means with the needle thereby to shift the latter sidewise.

15. An ornamental stitch sewing machine comprising, a frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, a plurality of differently shaped cams each mounted for rotation about a common axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about the common axis in synchronism with the needle reciprocating movements, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the earns, a lever pivotally mounted upon the frame, means rotatably mounting the elements upon and about an axis fixed by the lever in parallelism with the cam axis with the elements being fixed relative to each other and being spaced lengthwise along and angularly about their axis of rotation, spring means biasing the lever toward the cams, operator-responsive means connected with the elements for rotating them in unison about their common axis thereby sequentially to present the elements to their associated cams, means releasably locking a selected element in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby such element together with the lever may be shifted about the lever pivot axis in response to the movements of a selected cam, and means connecting the lever with the needle thereby to shift the latter sidewise.

16. An ornamental stitch sewing machine comprising, a frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, a plurality of differently shaped edge cams mounted for rotation about a common axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about the common axis in synchronism with the needle reciprocating movements, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, a lever pivotally mounted at one end upon the frame about an axis disposed in parallelism with the cam axis, means rotatably mounting the elements upon and about an axis fixed by the other end of the lever in parallelism with the cam axis with the elements being fixed relative to each other in helically spaced relation about their rotary axis, and with each element extending radially of the rotary axis and being disposed in substantially the same plane as its associated cam, spring means biasing the lever toward the cams, operator-responsive means connected with the elements for rotating them in unison about their rotary axis thereby sequentially to present the elements to their associated cams, means releasably locking a selected element in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby such element together with the lever may be shifted about the lever pivot axis in response to the movements of a selected cam, and means connecting the lever with the needle thereby to shift the latter sidewise.

17. An ornamental stitch sewing machine comprising, a frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, an oscillatable lever pivotally mounted about an axis fixed by the frame, means connecting the lever with the needle for shifting the latter sidewise, a plurality of cylindrical rotary edge cams mounted upon the frame for rotation about a fixed com-. mon axis, means rotating the cams in synchronism with the needle reciprocating movements, a plurality of camresponding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means pivotally mounting each of the elements upon the lever and about a common axis fixed by the lever, spring means biasing the lever toward the cams, and manually operable means carried by the lever and shiftable lengthwise of the element pivot axis for releasably locking each of the elements against movement relative to the lever and in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the needle may be shifted sidewise in conformance with a selected cam response of an element.

18. An ornamental stitch machine comprising a hollow frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, means to reciprocate the needle, a plurality of cylindrical rotary cams mounted within the frame for rotation about a common axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their common axis in synchronism with the reciprocating movements of the needle, a single member mounted within the frame for movements relative to the frame, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means mounting the elements upon the member for movements relative to the member, operator-responsive means for sequentially and releasably locking each of the elements against movement relative to the member and in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the member may be shifted relative to the frame in conformance with the selected cam response of any element, and means operatively connecting the member with the needle for shifting the latter sidewise.

19. An ornamental stitch machine comprising a hollow frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, means to reciprocate the needle, a plurality of cylindrical rotary cams mounted within the frame for rotation about a common axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their common axis, in synchronism with the reciprocating movements of the needle, a single member mounted within the frame for movements relative to the frame, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means mounting the elements upon the member for movements relative to the member, operator-responsive means for sequentially and releasably locking each of the elements against movement relative to the member and in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the member may be shifted relative to the frame in conformance with the selected cam response of any element, such operator-responsive means including a single handle element extending outside the confines of the frame and serving upon the manual movement thereof sequentially to position each of the elements in cam-responding relation with its associated cam, and means connecting the member with the needle for shifting the latter sidewise.

20. An ornamental stitch machine comprising a hollow frame, a needle mounted in the frame for endwise reciprocation and for sidewise movements transversely of the direction of reciprocation, means to reciprocate the needle, a plurality of cylindrical rotary cams mounted within the frame for rotation about a common axis fixed by the frame, means rotating the cams about their common axis in synchronism with the reciprocating movements of the needle, a single member mounted within the frame for movements relative to the frame, a plurality of cam-responding elements each corresponding to a respective one of the cams, means mounting the elements upon the member for movements relative to the 13 14 member, operator-responsive means carried by the memside the confines of the frame, and means connecting ber within the frame for sequentially and releasably lockthe member with the needle for shifting the latter sideing each of the elements against movement relative to wise. the member and in cam-responding relation with its associated cam whereby the member may be shifted rel- 5 References Cited m the me of thls patent ative to the frame in conformance with the selected UNITED STATES PATENTS cam response of any element, handle means connected 2,755,754 Urscheler July 24, 1956 with the operator-responsive means and extending out- 

